Valerie Reaper will be running a singer-songwriter boot camp for Dayton-area women who rock

By Allyson Crawford

Calling all budding female singer-songwriters! The Victoria Theatre Association (VTA) wants to help foster female musical talent in the Miami Valley. The VTA is holding auditions to find up to 20 exceptional women to foster in an intensive singer-songwriter boot camp. The program, called One Small Voice: Women Who Rock, is an engagement project inspired by the Broadway show Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Each year the VTA selects a Broadway show for a corresponding educational project. Beautiful comes to Dayton in May.

“Carole King’s story really speaks to me,” explains Amy Handra, Assistant Director of Education and Engagement for the Victoria Theatre Association. Handra was tasked with selecting this year’s outreach project, and she really related to the story of Beautiful.

“[Carole’s] story is one of how she started as part of a team with her husband. They wrote for a lot of other incredible artists and had a lot of hits for a lot of people. Their relationship came to an end and Carole came to a crossroads and decided she was confident enough with her own voice that she was ready to perform. The music industry in particular is very male dominated and women have been fighting for equal representation and equal voice. So I was inspired by the music and that’s how the project developed. I thought ‘How can I start a project that will empower women in the Miami Valley to use their own voices to express themselves and take it to the next level?’”

That next level is learning how to write a song, from conception to completion, then recording it in a studio and possibly even performing it live. These skills, Handra believes, will help women get on the right path toward a career in music – or just enjoy an empowering experience while learning the hard skills of composition and performance.

Interested female musicians can submit their 60-90 second audition video at
victoriatheatre.com/one-small-voice. Registration opens on Feb. 5, 2018 at noon, and applications will be accepted through Mar. 5, 2018 at 5 p.m. No formal musical background is required. You should be able to accompany yourself in some way on your audition video, and the clip should feature original music. Accompaniment may be with an instrument or via digital means. Up to 20 women will be selected for the boot camp, and the minimum age is 13. Women from outside the Miami Valley are welcome to apply, but all those chosen to participate must commit to attend six workshop sessions.

The selected women will be coached by singer-songwriter Valerie Reaper. Reaper is a Dayton area native who now lives in New York. She is a solo artist who also performs with her band, Valerie Reaper and the Keepers.

“Valerie has a strong philosophy that anyone can write a song as long as they have the right tools,” explains Handra.“It feels sometimes like writing music or songs is very intimidating, but with Valerie’s approach, it will be very accessible. She’s had a good musical journey herself, and she’ll be a great resource for the women to teach them about the different paths in the music industry.”

The entire program runs from Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2018 to Thursday, May 24, 2018. The bulk of the boot camp sessions will take place in mid-April. Valerie Reaper will provide sessions and private coaching, work which will culminate in a live performance in a still-to-be-determined location. The participants will record their original songs at Street Sounds Studios at the University of Dayton. The experience wraps in May with a performance of Beautiful—The Carole King Musical and a private talkback with the cast.

Still not convinced you have what it takes to be selected? Handra has some advice for fence-sitters:

“I think this project is suited for an amateur artist who really wants to express herself and just write a song… all the way through to a woman who is very serious about pursuing a musical career.”

Carole King’s message is that one small voice can change the world. If you’ve always dreamt of writing and recording music, 2018 might be the year your voice is heard.

People can bring their Christmas trees to the Great Miami River in Tipp City to be burned at The Great Tree Burn

By Tim Walker

Christmas and the festive decorations this time of year bring along with it are always a welcome sight. Good friends and family, time spent with loved ones, carols and gift exchanges, all serve to remind us of the blessings of each holiday season, and the many trees, wreaths, holiday lights and poinsettias maintain in us a festive mood that lasts right on through the month of December.

Then the needles fall off.

As 2018 approaches, the same question enters many of our minds: what, exactly, does one do with a dead Christmas tree? That gorgeous green fir, so full and resplendent in its tinsel and finery just a few short weeks ago, has been reduced overnight to a dried-up brown twig that’s a shadow of its former self and deposits needles on the carpet by the thousands. What to do? Carry it outside and stuff it into the garbage can? Tie it up and toss it in the neighbor’s backyard? Turn it into kindling?

Local canoe livery Adventures on the Great Miami has an answer to your perennial arboreal query. On Saturday, January 6th, 2018 they will be hosting the third annual Great Christmas Tree Burn at their 1995 E. Ross Rd. location in Tipp City, Ohio. Your no-longer-wanted dead trees, sans ornaments, can be dropped off any day from December 26th right up until the 7pm ignition time for the bonfire on January 6th, and the party lasts from 5pm until 9pm that day and comes complete with live music, food trucks, and fun for the entire family. They’ll even have firemen on hand to make sure everyone stays safe.

“The Great Tree Burn is going into its third year,” says Dave Obenour, Event Promoter for Adventures on the Great Miami, when he spoke to the Dayton City Paper recently. “And it keeps getting more popular with each year. Let’s face it — the least fun part of the holidays is always taking down the decorations, taking down the tree, and packing away all the stuff that makes winter fun. Putting it away, and then realizing we still have three more months of winter ahead — that just makes it worse. So just trying to take that and turn it into a fun tradition in itself. You’re not just putting your Christmas tree out on the curb, you get to bring it to this party, and stand around this big bonfire and get warm and have a bunch of food and have a great time with your family.”

The Great Tree Burn is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. The local community has obviously embraced the event — at the 2017 bonfire, more than 40 trees were burned, and Obenour expects to exceed that this year. Area firefighters and other first responders will also be on hand during the event to ensure that the bonfire stays under control and that everyone in attendance remains safe.

“Chris Jackson came up with the idea,” continues Obenour. “He’s the owner and operator there at Adventures on the Great Miami, and it was something that he was wanting to do just as a way to get people to come out. It’s such a beautiful property there, the way the hills roll down this slope and right to the banks of the Great Miami River.”

As with any annual event that occurs this time of year, weather is a concern. “Last year, it’s true that it was bitterly cold, but we still ended up with a really nice turn out,” says Obenour in conclusion. “The year before that, which was the first year, we had unseasonably nice weather, but last year was cold. I think in 2017 we had about 40 trees for the bonfire, and we’re really hoping to get even more this year. You certainly get a nice flame out of it.”

According to statistics compiled by the National Fire Protection Association, between 2011 and 2015 U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees every year. These fires caused an average of 6 deaths, 16 injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage annually.

When your family’s Christmas celebration is over, and all the gifts are unwrapped and you’re ready to ring in the new year, why not keep your family safe by taking the tree down a few days early and dropping it off in Tipp City? Then gather up your friends and family for the Great Tree Burn on January 6th — it sounds like a fun event that will warm you and yours up on both the outside and the inside.

The Great Tree Burn will take place on January 6th, 2018, from 5pm – 9pm, at Adventures on the Great Miami, 1995 East Ross Road, Tipp City OH 45371. Admission is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit greatmiami.net or call (937) 623-1824.

Various businesses and organizations provide stimulation-conscious environments for children with disabilities such as autism.

By Tim Smith

Autism Spectrum Disorder has received more national attention lately, thanks to organizations like the Center for Autism and Related Disorders and Autism Speaks. They have taken the high road to increase the public’s awareness and acceptance of this developmental disability. The family entertainment chain Chuck E. Cheese’s decided to take it one step further, and found success along the way.

Chuck E. Cheese’s offers a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month. The Sensory Sensitive Sundays experience includes less crowding and noise, dimmed lighting, show and music turned off or down, and limited appearances by Chuck E. Cheese. Food and games are offered, but parents are permitted to bring snacks for their children if needed due to dietary restrictions. The company began testing the program in January of this year at 54 restaurants in the northeast region, which confirmed there was a big desire from their guests for a sensory-friendly program. They then expanded the program nationally on April 2, 2017, tied to World Autism Awareness Day.

Ami Anderson is the Senior Director of Media and Advertising for the parent company, CEC Entertainment. She says that the concept had humble beginnings, but grew quickly.

“The idea originated from a single Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant in Attleboro, Massachusetts,” she says. “Amanda Moniz, an outreach coordinator for CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) went to the restaurant and simply asked the general manager if they would be willing to open early for her nephew, who has Autism, and the restaurant agreed. The event received so much positive attention and local media that we got wind of it in the marketing department at our corporate headquarters. We loved the idea, so we reached out to the local restaurant to find out all of the details and the rest is history.”

Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. There is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls. Around 1/3 of people with autism have an intellectual disability.

“The reaction to the program has been overwhelmingly positive,” Anderson says. “We receive feedback from guests all the time who were able to take their children to Chuck E. Cheese’s for the first time ever, which is a special experience for them. Over this past year, we’ve definitely seen increased attendance during the program times by families and children who face sensory challenges. We strive to be a place where all kids can be a kid and we think our guests have been accepting and accommodating to the program. Participating stores open two hours early, so there isn’t any disruption for other guests seeking the standard Chuck E. Cheese’s experience.”

A survey of other family entertainment providers in the Dayton area revealed some that will accommodate guests with special needs. Scene 75 hosts a Special Needs Day on the first Thursday of every month, in addition to private parties. The Learning Express in Centerville offers monthly arts and crafts activities but pointed out that these events tend to be noisy. The Mystery Shop is a traveling group that will tailor their whodunit “Clue”-type shows for children and adults with special needs.

As with any new program dealing with a special population, some initial training was required. Chuck E. Cheese’s brought in some expert help to work with their staff members.

“CARD helped identify elements of the Chuck E. Cheese’s experience that might be overwhelming or overstimulating for sensory-sensitive kids and provided us with actionable ways we could make the experience more enjoyable and suitable for children who face sensory challenges,” Anderson says. “Specifically, through smaller crowds, dimmed lighting, the show and music turned off or down, and limited appearances by costumed characters. They also equipped us with a comprehensive Staff Training Guide, which includes useful tips for our employees when working with children with ASD.”

Anderson notes that the positive response to the monthly offering has drawn the attention and support of professionals in the field of developmental disabilities.

“We’ve seen tremendous support from local Autism Speaks and Autism Society chapters via sharing information about the program on their social media pages, which has helped us get the word out to families who might enjoy this type of program,” she says. “We’ve also seen support from local schools and centers for autism who have reached out to us to see how they can help spread the word. The support has been incredible. Though we haven’t made any significant changes to the program, through our partnership with CARD, we’re always thinking about ways that we can continue to improve and expand the program, as well as through fee dback we receive from guests and employees.”

“We hope that families and children who haven’t been able to experience the fun of Chuck E. Cheese’s will finally have that opportunity,” Anderson says. “We’re proud to provide an environment for children who face sensory challenges and give them the same chance to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese’s as their peers do.”

Sensory Sensitive Sundays take place on the first Sunday of each month from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Chuck E. Cheese’s, 30 Prestige Place, Miamisburg, OH, 45342. For more information, visit chuckecheeses.com or call 937.439.2364.

Photo: Colleen Raney and band perform at Stivers School for the Arts this Sunday.

By Tim Smith

The Dayton area has long held an affection for Celtic music and all things Irish. One of the most popular current interpreters of Celtic music is Colleen Raney. She and her band will be bringing their special music to Stivers School for the Arts on Dec. 10. The benefit concert for We Care Arts will also feature the Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, and local Celtic band Dulahan.

Colleen Raney has gained a wide following due to her ability to convey her love of Irish music. Her latest album release, Here This is Home, is described by Irish Music Magazine as “a rich treasure that, with the wealth of creative talent within, places the contemporary firmly within the tradition and positions Raney amongst the best in her genre.” This performance will mark her first visit to the Dayton area. She will perform with her band, including Hanz Araki on flute and vocals, Bethany Waickman on guitar and Ryan Davidson on upright bass and vocals. In addition to singing, Colleen also plays guitar and bodhran.

“The band and I are very excited to be in Dayton in December,” Raney says. “We’re working on some of our favorite songs and tune sets as well as a few holiday pieces and some songs from my forthcoming new album, which will be out in early 2018. Hopefully, we’ll get some folks in the audience singing along with us – it’s always more fun that way.”

Raney and her troupe tour extensively throughout the year. When the Dayton City Paper caught up with her, she was introducing her brand of Celtic music to Japan. She noticed that there were cultural similarities and an instant appreciation for the music.

“I am very lucky to tour as much as I do,” she says. “I’m currently on tour in Japan where I can say that Irish music, and songs in particular, are immediately and enthusiastically welcomed. There are so many similarities between Japanese culture and Irish culture – each is steeped in the connection to community and regional connection – that I believe the music naturally resonates here in a really specific and beautiful way. We have played all around the States and in Ireland for audiences of people both familiar and unfamiliar with the music, and each is different and distinct. But Japan seems to hold a particular joy in its heart for Irish music and song in particular.”

This performance was put together by Sunni Russo, owner of Sunnyskies Music. The proceeds will benefit We Care Arts, and the program will include some local Celtic talent as well.

“We Care Arts uses art to inspire those with disabilities to reach their full potential, so it seemed a perfect fit to raise funds for them at a live music event,” Russo says. “The art created by their students is sold in several locations, and proceeds from sales benefit the individual artist and also help to fund the programs offered. The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is one of Dayton’s fine Irish Dance schools. They strive to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the Irish culture through dance. Many of the students compete at the local, national and international levels, and they are a joy to watch! Dulahan is a great local Celtic band. Their style is a mix of Celtic and Americana, and I love the harmonies. They play original music and have been together since 2001. They will take the stage after the Irish dance performance.”

Raney is delighted that audiences are discovering and developing an appreciation for Celtic music, and she has a theory for this phenomenon.

“I think in the digital age in which we find ourselves, there is a part of each of us that craves connection and community, and Irish music may be the conduit for that connection,” she says. “Not only does it involve mastery of an art form, which is appealing regardless of genre, it speaks to the sense of belonging that we all desire. In the states – the great melting pot – I find that people are far more invested in their ethnic connection to the music. We hear a lot of ‘my grandmother is Irish so I love the music’ or ‘I come from an Irish background so I really feel strongly about the songs’ from audience members, all of which may be true, but I like to translate that a bit more broadly. People crave belonging. And one way to feel that is to identify strongly with an ethnic tradition.”

Raney wants to share her love of her native music with those in attendance, and lift their spirits along the way.

“Most importantly, I would love for audiences to just enjoy the experience of the music and the stories,” she says. “It’s not a master class or a lecture, but we carefully craft the concerts to take us on a journey – emotionally, historically, musically – that will hopefully let audiences feel more deeply and see just a small bit differently. I remember seeing a movie a number of years ago that so affected me in the 2 hours I was in the theatre, that the whole world looked just the tiniest bit different to me as I stepped out of the theatre. I hope we can do that for the wonderful people who join us each night.”

Colleen Raney will appear at Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 E. 5th St., Dayton, on Dec. 10. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 and are available at sunnyskies.ticketleap.com/celtic/, celtictickets2017@gmail.com, or by calling 937.829.4620. More information about Colleen Raney can be found at colleenraney.com.

LM&M’s North Pole Express makes its journey through Warren County with Santa on board. Photo: Matt Lang.

By Tim Walker

Children love trains. Wide-eyed with excitement, they stare at the great engines, travelling as they do down those endless rails and pulling massive cars loaded with people and freight, a steaming, chugging connection to an earlier time in this country. From the locomotive to the caboose, trains and railroads still have a hold on our children—and even on some of us as adults—and they cause us to stare in wonder and amazement at each encounter. Add in a visit with Santa Claus and a little hot chocolate, and you have a Christmas combination that’s just about impossible to beat.

Every year the LM&M Railroad, a non-profit railway service based in Lebanon, Ohio, presents their Christmas-themed North Pole Express to celebrate the holiday season, and this year is no exception. In what has become an annual tradition for many local families, the train leaves the brightly decorated station house at scheduled times and makes its 80-minute, nine-mile journey through Warren County and back to Lebanon. During the train ride, Santa Claus makes an appearance and visits with the passengers. Hot chocolate and cookies are served in the station area, and during the ride balloon artists dressed as elves make balloon animals and keep the mood pleasant. During the mid-point stop, as part of this holiday experience that is second to none, there is a reading of the timeless classic “The Night Before Christmas” before the train returns to Lebanon. During the trip, photos with Santa are allowed and encouraged, and each child receives a bell from Santa’s sleigh and a North Pole Express souvenir train ticket, and passengers of all ages receive a free souvenir hot chocolate mug.

“I’m in charge of making sure the passengers are happy,” says Tara Longfellow, Passengers Service Manager for the LM&M Railroad, “I’m on board during the entire ride to make sure everything runs smoothly with the passengers. I work with the conductor in charge, and with Will Gawain, the railroad’s General Manager, and Alex Pickrell, our head ticket agent. Our North Pole Express is still my favorite event—it’s the first event I actually worked on, and I have great memories of taking the trip with my family when I was a young girl.”

The LM&M Railroad’s 2017 “North Pole Express” experience features three classes of coaches and riding experiences to accommodate all budgets, and each one provides a variety of amenities and benefits. “We have three separate classes this year starting with our Lackawanna Class seating,” continues Tara Longfellow, ”Which features passengers riding the normal Lackawanna Coaches that we use for every single ride. Then we move up to our Deluxe Coach Class, which seats passengers inside the Milwaukee Road 3200 car.” This particular long distance coach car, which seats 60, is on-loan from the Cincinnati Dinner Train and was featured in the 2015 movie “Carol”.

Longfellow continues. “The Deluxe Class seating is a little bit more comfortable than the Lackawanna Class seating, and on that one you would get everything that you’d normally get on the Lackawanna but you also get a Christmas ornament of 901, which is one of the engines. Then finally you have the Cocoa Class, which is a lot nicer cars, car 663 and 664, long distance coach cars that are both on-loan from the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum and seat 48 passengers each. So each class is a step up from the last one, and the prices vary.”

The LM&M Railroad holds a variety of events throughout the year, with over 25,000 passengers showing up each year for the Thomas the Tank Engine visit alone. Altogether the railroad provided service for over 60,000 passengers last year. The North Pole Express, however, remains one the most popular experiences. A leisurely and relaxing train ride in heated comfort with the family, through the beautiful winter vistas of Warren County, with hot chocolate on tap and a visit from Santa Claus, ensure that all available tickets for the holidays rides will sell out. The North Pole Express rides begin on Nov. 24 and continue on a variety of dates through Christmas Eve. The railroad offers various departure times, depending on the day. More information and ticket prices can be found on the railroad’s website, Lebanonrr.com/

What could be a better break from the hectic hustle of the holidays?

The LM&M’s North Pole Express will be running on select dates through Christmas Eve, and all ages are welcome. Ticket prices vary, all seats are reserved, and all rides will sell out. For more information, go to http://Lebanonrr.com/or call 513-933-8022.

The Dayton Cat Fanciers’ Association will host its 62nd Annual cat show this November. Since 1956, cats and kittens from all sorts of breeds compete from all over the country. The show secretary treasurer, Wilma Van Scoyk, is looking forward to participating with her Persian cats, something she has done since 1972.

“I started in 1972 with silver and golden Persians and have had the pleasure of achieving many awards,” Van Scoyk recalls.

As treasurer, Van Scoyk is in charge of getting the judges lined up to come to the show and the hospitality and transportation of the judges. However, this is much more of a passion for Van Scoyk than a job.

“A couple years before my son graduated, I lost a little house pet and while grieving it, my husband told me that I need to get another cat. Then one Sunday, he drove me to Columbus and marched me up to the door and we went into the living room of a woman’s house and walked out was this silver Persian and that was it, I was hooked,” Van Scoyk says.

Van Scoyk took her new cat to shows, but realized after the cat received no achievements that this cat was from a backyard breeder and not a pure breed. So after two years with this silver Persian, Van Scoyk went to a reputable breeder and that is what really got her started into shows.

“It is a hobby which brings you happiness and heartache, sort of like children,” says Van Scoyk of her passion and long-term dedication to cat shows.

The show is affiliated with the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). “The purpose of the show is to not only promote the breed and strive to improve the breed [but also] another thing is when the spectators come in, they learn about the cats. So we are a teaching organization too. We are also helping to place kitties into good homes. However, we are not a kitten mill association,” Van Scoyk says.

Paul Ruzinsky, the show manager, is another passionate person who has been dedicated to cat shows for over 30 years. Ruzinsky has three cats, two of them household pets, and has been showing and participating in cat shows since 1972.

After doing shows for three decades, Ruzinsky has a couple of special memories that stick out in his mind. One of his show cats, a calico exotic named Pele, was a two-time national champion. Ruzinsky explains that Pele also became somewhat famous during her championship reign.

“Her picture is on a national product of a company right near Dayton called Kitty Bloom. They do horses, dogs, and cats but they chose her to be the cat on their name product,” says Ruzinsky.

For many years Ruzinsky quit showing cats but continued to do set up for the shows.

“When people looked at products at the show, they kept asking if I knew anything about cats. Well, I got tired of getting that question, so I took our cat back out and she took fourth best cat in show and in year 2006-2007 she was best cat in show. She was 14 years old. Then people quit asking if I knew anything about cats,” Ruzinsky says.

Ruzinsky also explains that cat shows are a bit different than dog shows, as many people are familiar with watching dog shows seeing all the dogs prance and walk around all at once.

“At cat shows when you come in, you don’t have to look where you are walking. But at dog shows, the dogs are always walking around on leashes and they sometimes have accidents. The cats are in cages and stay in the cages beside the judges and are looked at one at a time,” Ruzinsky says.

There will be around 200 cats at the show and many different breeds of cats ranging from long hair to short hair and bald. Cats are put into four categories: kittens (four months to 8 months old), adult cats or championship cats, premier cats, and household pets. The show cats must first be awarded the breed ribbon in their class and then hopefully make a final where they can earn points. To achieve the title of Grand Champion, the cat must earn 200 points. Then, the competing cats can try for a regional award and also a national award. These cats are the top 25 in each class.

There will be a designated vendors area with boutique shops and other items. The proceeds from this event will help support local cat charities.

The Dayton Cat Fanciers’ 62nd Annual Cat Show will be held at the McAfee Sports Center, 1321 Research Park Drive in Beavercreek on Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $6, seniors are $5 and $15 for families. The show is free for children 5 and under. For more information visit the Dayton Cat Fanciers’ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DaytonCatFanciers/.

The Tour De Donut is a competition of both physical fitness and hunger. And not just the hunger to win—it takes literal hunger, and a special affinity for glazed or jelly-filled.

In this race, participants are not only judged on how fast they can ride, but also how many donuts they can eat along the route. For every donut a rider eats, they have five minutes deducted from their ride time, and the one with the best adjusted “donut time” wins the golden Tour de Donut championship belt. However, if you’re just in it for the donuts or the bike ride, awards are also available based on the number of donuts eaten or the quickest ride time alone.

And while donuts and cycling may seem like an unexpected combination, the Tour De Donut has been successfully packing the roads with thousands of cyclists—and stomachs with donuts—for a decade. This year, the Tour de Donut will welcome about 3,000 participants to Troy’s downtown square, with donuts provided by Schuler’s Bakery in Springfield.

Participants can ride single, tandem, or recumbent bikes in the mini 16-mile ride, full 32-mile ride, or the 64-mile Double D challenge. Kids ages 2 to 12 are also welcome to participate.

“This event attracts not just hardcore experienced cyclists, but also a lot of runners and people who are not necessarily active on any level,” Roger Bowerstock, event director and “Head Donut,” says. “Sometimes they just get a bike and do it, sometimes it’s a bar bet, sometimes it’s people finding it on the Internet saying, ‘Is this thing for real?’”

It is for real, and it has one goal: “To bring people to the sport of cycling,” Bowerstock says. “Bike races are extremely intimidating, and bike tours are greatly diminishing in number of events and size. Donuts are kind of universally loved, so the quirky idea of melding donuts and bicycles allows us to bring people to the sport, even for a day.”

The original Tour de Donut began in Illinois over 20 years ago. An avid rider himself, Bowerstock attended a similar event called the Donut Derby in Pennsylvania, and he had the idea to start a local event in Ohio. He manages the event through his company, Rocketship Sports Management, and it hay continued to grow since the first ride in 2007. It began with only 106 riders at the Darke County Fairgrounds with donuts from the local Elkenberry’s Super Value grocery store. They used a stopwatch and paper to determine the winners, and like every year since, it had its own unique story to tell. When it came down to naming the winner of the first Tour de Donut, they discovered a tie and the two contestants were challenged to eat a finah 18th donut. Both were successful and awarded the title.

Their website states, “As the ride continues to grow, we continue to learn and improve the event for you.” By exploring their extensive “History” page that recounts each year’s event since 2007—including everything from details on the weather to thanking every organization that contributes—it’s clear the organizers are wholeheartedly dedicated to the event, and take it seriously.

“Even though it’s not real serious competition, we put on a very high-quality event and provide really nice finisher medals, a real awards ceremony, and just try to make the event as professional as possible,” Bowerstock explains. “And whether it’s somebody who’s never done an event before in their life, or someone who’s used to going to events all the time, we want everyone to think, ‘Wow, this is serious!’”

And they’re not just serious about biking. Overall, Bowerstock and his team are dedicated to creating a great experience for every participant. “We have been very strong advocates about the way this event is run and we’re not going to compromise,” he says. “I think that’s something we did from the very beginning that has been a hindrance, but it has also been excellent for the participants, which is why they come back and bring a friend.”

This year, the event will offer tent camping, and will feature the Rock the Bike music festival, animals from the Columbus Zoo, a beer garden, and more al, with the goal of attracting more families and not just bike enthusiasts. Plus, their new location in Troy has provided them with much more space to expand and offer more of these attractions.

“Families are going to look at the event a lot more,” Bowerstock says. “If participants think, ‘You know that’s a long way to go for a ride,’ they’ve got the ability to do other stuff with their family that maybe doesn’t ride. It’s more of a full family experience than just a bike ride.”

In order to make a plan like this a reality, Bowerstock said community involvement has always been a necessity, and planning for the next year’s event usually begins before the current year’s event is even over.

“Basically, we start planning at dinner on the day of the ride,” he says. “We have a meeting immediately afterwards with all our people. We talk through what worked, what didn’t work, what was a problem, and what can we do better when it’s all fresh in everybody’s mind.”

At the end of the day, the Tour de Donut is about providing a fun experience for all participants.

“It really is about the participants,” Bowerstock says. “I think that’s something any event promoter should really be steadfast with. Put on your event. Don’t let people hinder your vision. There’s a lot of outside pressure to do all kinds of different things, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

“That’s something we’ve learned and we’ve kind of rode that pony to success as the event has grown, as we’ve been stewards of anything we can do to make the participants happy or to add to the experience,” he continues. “That could be shooting off champagne for the winners, or having these really ridiculously awesome finisher medals—all of these things all just add to the experience, and people have now come to expect those things. Plus, it’s a melding of eating donuts and riding your bike. I don’t know how anything could be more fun than that.”

The Tour de Donut bike ride will take off on Saturday, Septr 16 at 8:30 a.m. in the square of downtown Troy. Registration is required. For more information, please visit TheTourDeDonut.com.

What do James Garner, John Wayne, and Burt Reynolds all have in common? At one time or another, they have all shared the silver screen with another great American icon: the Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am.

“There were several different models that they put out,” says Jerry Minor, president of the Trans Am Club of America’s Dayton Chapter. “Typically, you would think of the basic Firebird; there was a formula Firebird, which was a step up from that, and then the Trans Am, which was basically the top of the line for the Firebird.”

Examples of these classic cars will be on display August 25-27, as the annual Trans Am Nationals return to the Holiday Inn in Fairborn. Sponsored by the national club’s Dayton chapter, this Firebird-filled weekend features activities, guest speakers, charity auctions, a cruise-in to Tipp City, and a giant car show with more than 350 classic Firebirds and Trans Ams on display.

“This will be our 33rd year,” Minor says of the Trans Am Nationals. “Basically, it’s a car show that features the Pontiac Firebird line. We have seminars; we typically have some retired GM people who come in, and there’s a gentleman who comes from the Pontiac museum in Pontiac, Illinois.”

“We have a cruise to Tipp City, Ohio that we do on Saturday evening,” Minor says. “We’ve done that for 20 years. We go up to Tipp City, and there’s typically about 250 cars to show up there.”

Registration for the car show is open until Sunday morning, and the family-friendly event is free for spectators to attend. “Registration is open all weekend long for people that wait until the very last minute,” Minor says. “They can register up until Sunday morning around 10 o’clock, then we close things off because the judges have to finish up and get prepared for the awards ceremony later that day.”

“It’s free for spectators,” Minor says. “We have parking that is just across the street, which is free parking.”

Pontiac produced the Firebird line from 1967 until 2002, with many different models and variations over the years. Minor says, “The Trans Am itself actually didn’t start until 1969, that was when the first Trans Am was built.

“We’re actually celebrating this year. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Firebird, since it was in ’67. It’s the 40th anniversary of the Smoky and the Bandit Trans AM, which was done in ‘77, the first movie, and then there was also a model called the GTA, which was done in ‘87, so it’s the 30th anniversary of the GTA.”

All classes of Firebirds and Trans Ams will be included in the car show, ranging from stock factory models to highly modified custom vehicles. Reproductions of several well-known movie cars will also be on display.

“It’s definitely Smoky and the Bandit,” Minor says when asked which movie Firebird or Trans Am is the most famous. “The largest production year for the Firebird was actually in ‘79, and that was after the second movie. But the first one in ‘77 really brought the focus on Trans Ams.”

“On the Rockford Files, if you remember that show, there was a Firebird Espirit that James Garner drove,” Minor says. “John Wayne, he crunched his big ol’ body up into a 1973 brewster green Firebird; it was featured in the movie McQ.”

Minor actually owns a replica of the McQ car, which will be on display during the nationals. “I have a 1973 Trans Am,” he says. “I’ve had mine for over 20 years; I actually bought it out in Illinois many, many years ago and brought it back here to Ohio. I’ve been tinkering with it ever since.”

“It’s not too bad to find restoration parts,”

Minor says. “There are a lot of restoration parts out there for the muscle car era in general. It’s a little harder if you’re looking for an original part, if you want to stay completely original, but there are a lot of restoration parts suppliers out there.”

The Dayton chapter of the Trans Am Club of America, which sponsors the Trans Am Nationals, was first incorporated back in 1981. The nationals themselves have been running annually for 33 years.

“This is our main event,” Minor says. “We do other little things, but we actually don’t sponsor any other shows. So we kind of live for this one; we have club meetings every other month in Dayton, but we’re particularly focused on this show.”

“There’s no one major sponsor,” Minor says of the event. “We’ve got a lot of sponsors, and then we have vendors and some of those vendors actually sponsor the show as well.”

“It’s a great time, and it’s really a family-oriented show,” he says. “We have security and everything for the cars overnight. It’s a good time. It’s almost like a reunion for a lot of us, but we also have new people that come. It’s just a great weekend.”

The 33rd annual Trans Am Nationals will be held August 25-27 at the Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive in Fairborn. Car show registration is open until Sunday morning; admission is free for spectators. More information can be found online at 78ta.com.

The Wright State University couple last July adopted Marco, a blind and battered pit bull who was sitting on death row in Virginia. Today, the handsome, affectionate 4-year-old animal is discovering the world with restored eyesight and bringing joy to the McGinleys.

“Marco has changed my life so much,” Sarah McGinley says. “He’s made me more happy and outgoing. I’m kind of an introvert, but if you’ve got a dog with you, people want to talk to you.”

The McGinleys are still trying to help Marco get used to the big, wide world outside of a dog shelter.

“He’s agoraphobic,” Ash McGinley says, adding that Marco has had to be slowly coaxed out of the couple’s Dayton home. And the dog is terrified of thunderstorms, taking refuge in the dark recesses of the basement until they pass.

In addition to their love for Marco, the McGinleys share a passion for writing.

Sarah grew up in Dorset, England, moved to Detroit at age 22 for family reasons, and then to Dayton, where she enrolled at Wright State in 1992 to study creative writing.

After earning her master’s degree in English in 1994, she worked for a small publishing house and the University of Dayton. She later returned to Wright State, where she is a senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literatures, primarily teaching composition for nursing students.

Ash grew up in McLean, Virginia, and spent his early working years doing preventive maintenance on computer disks and later hanging drywall. In 1989 he enrolled at Wright State at age 38. While taking a “Great Books” English course, he was told he had a talent for writing. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in education in 1992 and became a technical writer and editor, writing weapons and armaments proposals for a defense contractor.

After retiring, he returned to Wright State, where he takes six hours every semester toward a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. He also works at the Writing Center, helping fellow students with their papers.

The McGinleys met in 1993 at Wright State, where they were taking classes together and had offices next to each other. They married in 1996.

“We had 11 cats at one stage,” Sarah says. “That’s what happens when two cat people get married.”

But the cat people have since become dog people.

In 2013, Georgia Obenaus, CEO and founder of Go Rescue Pet Adoption Center in Virginia Beach, came across Marco at a shelter. It was clear the dog had been through hell and back. He was underweight, mangy, had open sores, and his tail was just a bone sticking out. The adoption center later discovered that Marco was also blind. So center officials launched a fundraising drive to pay for Marco’s eye surgery, collecting donations from people around the country.

At the time, Sarah was working on her Ph.D. at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She learned of Marco’s plight after the children of a friend set up a lemonade stand to help raise money for the $3,000 operation.

In November 2015, Marco had surgery to remove the cataracts that had made him blind. For the first time ever, he could see the world around him.

“He had become quite a little celebrity,” Sarah says.

But months and months went by without anyone adopting him.

Then in July, Sarah sent a photo of Marco to her husband. It was a no-brainer for him.

When the couple arrived at the adoption center in Virginia Beach to meet Marco, it was love at first sight. As they got out of their car, Marco’s handlers were walking him about 25 yards away.

“He saw us and he dragged them over to us and just bowled us over,” Ash says.

Today, Marco is at his new home in Dayton—along with the McGinley’s other dogs, Daisy and Henry—and still exploring a world he can see for the first time.

“He’s just so interested in everything,” Sarah says. “You can see he’s finally figuring out what are these things he’s been smelling all of this time.”

The McGinleys let Marco run around the lot they own next to their house. The couple has been planting an orchard there in an effort to create more green space in Dayton.

They also give back to Wright State.

Several years ago, the McGinleys decided that instead of buying a new car, they would use the money to create a scholarship fund at the university. The Lucy Johnson Jones Scholarship is for English majors and those who are close to getting their degree and may need financial assistance. The couple also established a book fund that enables Dunbar Library to buy British fiction and short stories.

And now they’ve made Marco part of the Wright State family. They often bring him to campus, where he walks the trails of the woods.

When it comes to showing horses, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, there are plenty of opportunities for mini horses to steal the show, and some are bred to perform competitively to similar standards as the larger horses.

Take it from Centerville’s Patty Diehl, who owns 12 mini horses across the country for training, showing, and breeding. She began showing larger horses at a young age, but got her first mini horse for her son when he was 6 years old. He showed until he left for college, and Diehl has continued working with them since. While mini horses are judged similarly to larger horses, she says they have their own style and spunk. As the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) website states, “Many American miniature horses take to the show ring as if they were born to it.”

“They’re fun and have great temperaments,” Diehl agrees. “I think what people like about them is their endearing personalities.”

You can come and see these minis strut their stuff for free at the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) Eastern Regional Championship Show June 30–July 2 at the Champions Center in Springfield.

The AMHA is an equine association with more than 12,000 members in over 30 countries. The association “promotes the breeding, use, and perpetuation of a standard of equine excellence in miniature.” They sponsor more than 250 shows throughout the U.S. and Canada each year and average 3,100 entries in the World Championship Show in the fall. Diehl anticipates about 175 to 200 horses will be present at the regional championships in Springfield.

So what exactly makes a mini horse “mini”? According to Diehl, only horses of a certain size are considered mini depending on the height at their withers, or the ridge between their shoulder blades. They’re not to be confused with ponies, which are typically stockier with thicker manes, coats, and tails.

“To be a miniature horse registered with the AMHA, they have to measure 34 inches or less,” Diehl says. “Depending on the age of the horse, when they are a year old, they cannot measure over 32 inches. If they show at 2 years old, they cannot measure over 33. And when they are 3 years old, they cannot measure over 34.”

Their small size is just another reason people enjoy showing mini horses because they’re easier to handle.

“They’re easier to transport, they eat less feed, and they are really a lot easier to deal with,” Diehl says. “You get a 2,500-pound horse acting up—you know they don’t have to act up a lot before it becomes difficult—but a miniature horse, even on its worse day, isn’t too hard. They’re only 250-300 pounds. They are very smart and pick up on things very quick.”

This combination of intelligence, good demeanor, and easy handling helps simplify training, which often starts when the mini horses are just a few years old, in the months leading up to their first shows.

For example, “When they are about 2.5 years old, they start training for pulling a cart,” Diehl says. “[There are] different speeds you have to go, they have to stop and stand quietly, they have to turn around—there’s a pattern we do. They have to get used to driving with another horse or two, or 10 if you’re training them at the same time. Same with jumper [classes], teaching them to go over the jumps takes training. You have to work on it all the time to keep them in shape.

“Everybody has their own way of doing it,” Diehl continues. “Some horses that are just learning may have to be driven a few times a week and do different types of workouts to keep the muscle. But every trainer has their own way of doing things, their own feed schedule, and whatever types of supplements they use.”

One of Diehl’s horses is showing in California, one is growing up in Indiana before it can be trained on the cart, and she plans to show two stallions this year. She explained that being involved with the AMHA and entering shows are great ways to make connections with trainers and other owners interested in breeding.

Each regional championship has three judges who evaluate the horses on several different classes and skills, similar to larger horse shows. Classes for different sexes, ages, colors, and heights include jumper—when the horses are ridden and jump over obstacles—and halter classes—meaning they’re led by hand and not ridden. The horses can also be judged on animation, which includes classic pleasure, country pleasure, and single pleasure.

“Animation is how high the horses kick their legs, how high they carry their head, and how big their stride is,” Diehl explains. “The classic pleasure is the calm level with a relaxed stride and lower gait. In country pleasure, their head goes up a bit, their nose comes in a bit, and they begin to hold their legs up a little more. Then single pleasure is the highest in animation.”

Even for those not interested in breeding, showing or owning mini horses can be just as fun. Diehl mentions that some are used as therapy animals in children’s hospitals.

For anyone interested in attending the regional championship in Springfield and learning more about the AMHA, Diehl says there be a lot of resources available at the show, and it will be a lively environment:

“There will be a lot of people sitting in the stands watching their horse, and anyone will answer questions for those who are interested. There’s an office there, and the president and directors from different areas will also be there. But a lot of it is just watching, and that’s the fun part!”

The American Miniature Horse Association Eastern Regional Championship Show takes place June 30 – July 2 at the Champions Center, 4122 Laybourne Rd. in Springfield. Show starts at 8 a.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit AMHA.org.

The annual Dayton Pride Festival has many activities planned this year: a bar crawl, a breakfast, and a parade are just a few of the scheduled events. One of the more eagerly anticipated activities is Running with Pride, taking place June 4 at Welcome Park. It’s a family friendly 5K run/walk sponsored by the Dayton chapter of Parents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBT People, or PFLAG. This is PFLAG’s second-annual 5K run, and the proceeds have been earmarked to benefit the organization’s education programs. According to board member Chuck Campbell, who is one of the organizers, the inaugural run last year exceeded their expectations.

“Last year we totaled 112 participants,” he says. “Our goal for the first year was 100, so we were happy with the turnout. This year we are ahead of schedule with registrations compared to this time last year, and our goal is at least 150. We were looking for a new fundraising idea. We had done an event similar to Dancing with the Stars, but that event had run its course. We wanted something completely different, something everyone might be interested in, and we wanted to include it during Pride Weekend in Dayton.”

He points out the importance of raising money for their education programs and using these tools to increase diversity, acceptance, and awareness.

“Our main goal is diversity and inclusion, and we promote that anywhere and everywhere we can,” he says. “Our objective with the fundraising is for our scholarship program. We award an average of $7,000 a year to deserving LGBT and ally students in the Miami Valley. Our additional educational programs include Rainbow Reading, where we donate books to schools which are chosen and approved by the district. These books are monitored and if not returned for whatever reason, we replace them. This program has received national attention and was recognized by the American Library Association at their annual convention in 2011. We also have a program called Safe Schools, where volunteers go into a school and talk with the educators about providing a safe environment for LGBT youth. We also have a Youth First program, which is a support group for youth aged 13 to 21. We educate them about risk behavior reduction, substance abuse and provide peer support in a safe, comfortable environment.”

The response to last year’s run was positive and also served as a learning experience.

“Overall, we received very positive feedback regarding our event, especially since it was our first attempt,” Campbell says. “People liked that it was a family friendly event, that it was during Pride Weekend, and that it was a physical activity. Everyone loved the participation medal they received at the completion of the walk/run, something that everyone who preregisters gets, and the goodie bag, which, thanks to our generous sponsors, is stuffed full of items. A couple of takeaways from last year were that we needed more water stations, and people would like to see some vendor booths. This year, we have done that.”

PFLAG has found a lot of support in the Miami Valley, which has increased their visibility and made it easier to implement their programs.

“Our sponsors are great,” Campbell says. “All of our sponsors from the previous fundraisers have followed us into this new venture, and we have secured many new sponsors as well. We offer different sponsorship levels, so there is a place for them to support us regardless of the amount they have available. This year we have a total of 21 different sponsors, and we are grateful for every one of them. We are the largest chapter in Ohio and the most active in the Northeast region based on the programs we offer. Most chapters only offer support, but we are able to offer the different educational programs. We have been recognized by the national chapter for our Rainbow Reading program, and it is used as a model for other chapters to incorporate into their communities.”

In addition to fundraising activities, the Dayton chapter maintains an active schedule throughout the year to keep the organization in the public eye.

“The highlight is our scholarship banquet where we provide a catered meal for our members and present our scholarship winners,” he says. “At this event, we also give our Elaine Fultz Community Award, which is presented to a straight ally who has made an impact in the Dayton area for equality. We are also involved with the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, and we partner with them on several events. We sponsor a movie every year at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival, typically a documentary, which stays with our theme of education. We also have a speaker’s bureau where we send presenters to local diversity events held by churches and workplaces.”

Campbell admits that even with the growing support for the Dayton chapter, diversity awareness and tolerance are never-ending tasks in the current national climate.

“This new administration has certainly put us on guard,” he says. “We had a nice momentum going when it came to equality, but now we feel like we have to be in defense mode. We are ready to educate and promote fairness as needed. We want all participants in the run to have a good time, to be with like-minded people, and to be proud of who you are. Pride is for everyone. It is time to accept who you are and to accept and respect others for who they are.”

Running with Pride takes place Sunday, June 4 at Welcome Park (behind Welcome Stadium), 1601 Edwin C. Moses Blvd. in Dayton. Registration is $25, and the event will start at 9 a.m. To register or for more information, please find PFLAG on Facebook or visit PFLAGDayton.org.

In my freshman year of college, I lived across the street from the creative arts buildings: recital halls, grand stages, black box theatres, the music library, and the art museum. There hasn’t been another time span in my life when I was so openly and frequently exposed to creative expression. That year, I saw a traveling exhibit on Andy Warhol, the opera The Magic Flute, the orchestral concert Appalachian Spring, the ballet Serenade, an intimate black-box performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and a jolting, full-stage production of Rent. Every one of these experiences was curated, mostly staffed, and produced by students at a state university campus in a small Midwestern town.

Sometimes I miss those days—days without Netflix—but I know that I will never live across the street from those creative arts buildings again, and thus it will be rare for me to stumble upon an enchanting evening of art. Fortunately, Wright State University’s 18th annual ArtsGala offers an immense artistic palette. What better chance to experience a world of entertainment and to provide an opportunity to make someone’s creative dreams a reality?

The idea for the WSU event originated in 2000. Stuart McDowell, professor and artistic director in the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures, says he and a few other creative arts faculty members were tasked with finding a way to bring together each of their crafts in an effort to attract more community members and highlight student work. “From the beginning, it has always been about collaboration,” McDowell says, “and it has always been about the students.”

While many universities and creative institutions offer a full spectrum of art performances in a given year, McDowell says the individual fields often compete for funding, space, and attention.

“This program is not only unique locally, but throughout the country as well, because very few programs in the arts collaborate as substantially as we do,” McDowell says, noting this event is emblematic of the arts at Wright State in two ways. First, guests will have an evening of performances ranging from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Dolly Parton’s Broadway musical 9 to 5 to a mini film festival and complimentary portrait paintings. Second, the evening’s activities will take place in the newly revamped Creative Arts Center (CAC), which now, after roughly two years of renovation, connects every one of the University’s creative arts within one expansive structure. “This building is the culmination of our collaborative spirit, and this event showcases our collaborative, creative efforts,” McDowell says. After undergoing a $30 million modernization and expansion, the CAC has new art galleries, dance studio, a stage combat room, refurbished performance stages, updated acoustics, and a newly imagined commons space to welcome students, artists, and guests.

But don’t assume from the selection of almost 30 different performances that this showcase is bite-sized. From 6 p.m. to midnight, there is more to do than one could hope to consume in a single sitting—and that’s the intent. “There is no way to get to every show,” says Jennie Buckwalter, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and coordinator of the ArtsGala for the last 12 years. In fact, every corner of the event is set up so guests can have as full as an experience as possible. “Each space is like its own venue,” she says, “and will have its own fine dining, live performances, and opportunities to interact with the student-artists.”

While the lamb lollipops and dance finale have been guest favorites in the past, what tops off the evening is the student connection.

“The students you see performing directly benefit from your being there, as all of our net proceeds go directly to student scholarships,” Buckwalter explains. And this is no small sum. Over ArtsGala’s 17-year history, it has generated more than $2.2 million in scholarship support for creative arts students.

One student whose creative education is a direct result of this event is Stephen Monath. In his fourth year at Wright State as a music education and percussion performance major, Monath says he wouldn’t have the opportunity to pursue his musical passion and his aspiring career in music education without support from the ArtsGala scholarships.

“I’m a student teacher, a student, and I teach band at a local high school, but I still have to pay rent and tuition and buy books,” Monath says, “and these scholarships make it possible for me to do all of these things—and still play music.” Monath’s excitement for the event-packed ArtsGala is as evident as his gratitude for the support he has received. “This event is a chance to experience great live performances—it’s hard to beat that—about different artists working together and interacting and, most importantly, about the artists, the students, having a chance to say thank you,” he says.

So if like me, you don’t live across the street from creative arts buildings, consider this an opportunity to experience an enchanting evening with a taste of art for everyone.

Wright State University’s 18th annual ArtsGala will take place Saturday, April 8 from 6 p.m.—midnight in the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy. in Fairborn. Tickets range from $250-$550. For tickets and more information, please call 937.775.5512 or visit Wright.edu/ArtsGala.

League of Women Voters honors 3 local media pioneers

By Brittany Erwin

Photo: Local suffragettes inspired the League of Women Voters to honor Dangerous Dames of Dayton, modern trailblazers
In a world where accusations of fake news abound, quality journalism is vital. Yet, the public can be critical of its truth-tellers, particularly if its tellers are female. Choosing instead to amplify those voices, the Dayton League of Women Voters (LWV) will honor three women in media—Cheryl McHenry, Lynn Hulsey, and Marsha Bonhart—at this year’s Dangerous Dames dinner.

The event raises funds to support LWV’s voter education programs on March 30 at the NCR Country Club.

Dangerous Dames was inspired by a library visit in 2010. Sue Hesselgesser, executive director of Dayton’s LWV, cites images of women protesting then-President Woodrow Wilson. “Here in Dayton, our ladies were busy marching down Main Street, making soap box speeches on street corners and holding rallies in Cooper Park. The media dubbed them ‘dangerous to polite society.’ We kind of liked that, and Dangerous Dames of Dayton was born,” she says. Hesselgesser notes Dayton’s history of promoting women’s empowerment: “Dayton was actually Ohio’s hotbed for the suffragists… and male leaders in the community—John Patterson, Orville and Bishop Wright, Col. Deeds, David Rike—were huge supporters of the women. I think that these guys thought that if man could fly, women should certainly be able to vote.”

Being named a Dangerous Dame requires this pursuit of excellence, despite all challenges. “The league is on the lookout throughout the year for women who are doing amazing things,” Hesselgesser summarizes. This year’s focus is on women in media. “Because of the attention drawn to women in the media during the 2016 presidential campaign, we decided to honor pioneering women of the media…they will tell their own stories and we will also discuss the idea of fake media and how journalists look for and fact-check their stories.”

The event is both celebration and education. Information sharing is, after all, the foundation of these women’s careers.

Cheryl McHenry—an anchor and reporter for WHIO-TV and a Dayton local since age 9—recalls she did not see herself as a reporter until high school, despite an early interest in news. “I started hearing more women’s voices on the radio and seeing more women on TV,” she remembers, “and thinking, maybe I could that.” She landed her first reporting position at Channel 7 in 1981, proving she could do that.

Now, McHenry is a pillar of the local news. “I’ve now anchored a local newscast longer than any other woman and longer than most men in the Dayton TV market,” she says. “I hope my everyday anchoring has informed our viewers about things important to them. I hope my special reports have gone further to educate and even enlighten them.”

McHenry has reported on topics like food deserts in the Miami Valley and PTSD among local combat veterans.

Her praise of fellow honorees Marsha Bonhart and Lynn Hulsey is effusive: “I hold both of them in the highest regard for their journalistic ethics and hard work, but—more importantly—for the quality of individuals they are. They are both great women!”

Lynn Hulsey—another Dayton native and a journalist for nearly 32 years—also credits her peers and predecessors. “I think the women who came before me are the real trailblazers. I came of age after it was far more common to see women in journalism covering all kinds of topics, and not just limited to the society page,” she says.

Her work as a political and investigative reporter for the Dayton Daily News and Cox Media Group Ohio carries on their legacy. “I think it is very important for people to be informed about their government and politicians, the important issues of the day, and to know how their tax dollars are being spent,” she says. “I feel like it is the job of journalists to help hold politicians and institutions accountable.”

For Hulsey—who has won numerous awards from such organizations as the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists, and reports on topics ranging from abuse of the public employee disability pension system to big payouts for retiring government officials*—the Dangerous Dame designation is special. “The League has honored some real trailblazers over the years,” she says. “So to be looked at as someone who also has perhaps made a difference is a real honor.”

Marsha Bonhart—currently director of development for the award-winning Dayton Contemporary Dance Company—is renowned in Dayton. Her professional accolades include a News Emmy nomination for a series on “Crack Addicted Babies” and two Ohio Public Images Awards for stories promoting understanding of people with developmental disabilities. Some of her most lauded work focuses on health care and the medical field. She is also recognized as a community leader, earning such recognitions as a Spirit of Progress Award from the American Cancer Society and as the YWCA Dayton Lifetime Achievement Honoree for “empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”

Though Bonhart did not share any comments with Dayton City Paper, her storied career speaks volumes.

This year’s Dangerous Dames dinner honors women who are unafraid to tell the truth, who embody the league’s ideals. “The league was founded by women who stepped outside of the stereotype of what a woman should be and challenged themselves and others to do more. We hope that Dangerous Dames is an inspiration to and celebration of women,” Hesselgesser says. Celebrate with them.

Celebrate this year’s Dangerous Dames with dinner Thursday, March 30 at NCR Country Club, 4435 Dogwood Trail in Kettering. Event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $97;proceeds raise funds for the league’s voter education programs. For tickets or more information, please call 937.228.4041 or visit LWVDayton.org.

*Editor’s note: This line was edited in the online version to clarify that Lynn Hulsey has won numerous awards from organizations like the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists, but not specifically for her reporting re: topics on abuse of the public employee disability pension system and big payouts for retiring government officials.

Photo: The entry panel of the Peace Quilt Labyrinth, the product of Janet Bear McTavish and a team of 62 working day and night for 22 months

A young soldier, weary from unending brutality on the battlefield, made his way slowly up a hillside, his comrades-in-arms beside him. As he neared the top, he found an enemy soldier curled up under a large tree branch, his face smeared with mud and his hair matted with dirt and debris. The soldier raised his weapon and pointed it at the enemy, but as he did so, the kid looked up at him, his eyes wide with fear—and in that moment, he realized that they were the same, he and the enemy. They were just two kids, tired and scared and miles from anything that seemed remotely familiar. He lowered his gun and held out his hand.The astonished kid, shaking, took it gingerly and the two men embraced as if they’d been longtime friends.

Months later, the war was over and the young soldier was wandering through a marketplace looking for something nice to send his girl back home. He came upon two men, a priest and a professor, hotly debating the meaning of peace. He listened for a moment, then approached the men and said, “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion. Perhaps this soldier could shed some light on the subject?”

The two men eagerly encouraged him to continue. The soldier smiled and said, “Well it’s simple you see. I learned that real peace comes when you look into the eyes of the enemy and see yourself looking back.” He tipped his hat and continued on his way, leaving the two men to ponder his words.

Peace has a number of different meanings, depending on whom you ask. It can mean anything from “the absence of conflict” to “solitude.”

Artist Janet Bear McTavish discovered that while the meaning of peace often had many layers of meaning, there was a general “golden rule” agreed upon by almost everyone. That “golden rule” essentially meant, “Treat others as you want to be treated.” Inspired by the dream she had about two soldiers, McTavish decided to use her love of quilting to embody the “golden rule” in a way that was both meaningful and beautiful.

McTavish first created a two-dimensional quilt that depicted a labyrinth with pictorial representations of various world religions along the way. After several showings, however, she realized that a single quilt wouldn’t be enough to produce the desired effect, so she decided to make a quilt for each religion and hang them vertically to create a labyrinth. It took both McTavish and a team of 62 people working day and night for a total of 22 months to complete the labyrinth. The stunning work of art was first displayed in Duluth, Minnesota, in May of 2012. It traveled around the Midwest before being donated to the Dayton International Peace Museum in November of 2014.

This year, the Peace Quilt Labyrinth is being displayed as part of an event series called “Pathways to Peace” hosted by Middfest International. Though Middfest International started out focusing on highlighting different countries, three years ago they changed their theme to promote peace and reached out to refugees for their 30th-year celebration.

“The challenges of peace and of reaching out to refugees do not appear to be diminishing in any way,” says organizer John Schaefer, Ph.D. It’s an unfortunate reality in today’s world, but one that many, including Dr. Schaefer, are hopeful will change.

“Pathways to Peace” aims to educate people about other religions and beliefs, so they understand that there are more similarities among us all than there are differences.

And what better way to celebrate those similarities than with a quilt? Though many associate quilts and quilting with colonial times, quilting has been around for thousands of years. The oldest known quilt was found in Egypt on an ivory statue depicting a pharaoh and dated back to 3400 BC, according to Emporia State University’s Center for Great Plains Studies in Kansas. Quilts have been found across cultures.

That the concept of quilting has been shared by so many civilizations makes it a unique way to promote the concept of peace. The act of piecing fabric together is similar to the concept of piecing together parts of many cultures to promote unity. And when you consider that quilts were primarily used for warmth and comfort, what better way to symbolize the warmth and comfort that true peace brings than with a quilt?

“The labyrinth is a tremendously moving experience that leads people to look within and find the seeds of peace within their own selves,” Dr. Schaefer describes.

Like the battle-weary soldier who found himself in the eyes of the enemy, peace has to begin with the self. So this year, treat yourself to a free experiential journey through a labyrinth of stunning artwork. You might just be surprised at what you find at the center.

The ‘Pathways to Peace’ event runs through Friday, March 10 at the Windamere Event Center, 2 S. Main St. in Middletown. The venue is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the Peace Quilt Labyrinth and the Migrant Stories events is free. For more information, please contact Middfest International at 513.422.7710 or find ‘Middfest International’ on Facebook.

The Mekons’ Jon Langford fights for scholarship at the Antioch School Auction Gala

By Amanda Dee

Photo: Jon Langford’s ‘Star, Map, Cowboys,’ at Emporium Wines March 4

“Prolific” isn’t always a welcome label, but it befits Wales-born Jon Langford, whose work seems almost omnipresent, ranging from punk music to country, portraits to comic strips, and social activism to Dogfish Head beer labels.

His work, whether he’s playing with British punk rock group The Mekons or Chicago’s alt country Waco Brothers, among many projects, reacts to his present world.

Today, in Chicago with two kids of his own, Langford expresses concern about the current state of education, pointing to the political attack against the U.S. Department of Education. So, when friends asked him to perform at the Antioch School’s Auction Gala, he decided to finally appease their requests to visit Yellow Springs. The gala, March 4 at Antioch College’s Foundry Theater, raises scholarship funds though auctions and ticket sales, and includes hors d’oeuvres from Current Cuisine, an open wine bar, and dessert.

Take note: The Antioch School isn’t your run-of-the-mill elementary school. Students work with teachers to establish the rules and curriculum. Report cards don’t exist; students learn through experience. They ride unicycles.

Excluding the unicycles, Langford similarly describes a seminal class at Leeds University and immersion in ’70s and ’80s punk rock culture.

“You had to be able to explain yourself, talk about it, place it in a context,” he recalls of the class taught by a renowned art historian. “He was quite forceful about the idea that you made art about the world around you and your relationship to power, money, sexuality, etc. …And at the same time, we have punk rock, which inspired me to become a musician… which was this great, democratizing force on music, on rock and roll… The idea of punk rock was to question authority and to make art that described our immediate surroundings in the world we lived in. So these two things kind of came together for me, and it’s all stuck with me, with my painting and my music.”

Despite the “rigorous, intellectual, and very left wing” ideas Langford absorbed, he started college “on the horizon” of Margaret Thatcher in England and Ronald Reagan in the states. And despite his observation of punk philosophy to challenge systems of power, he wasn’t interested in its nuclear offensive strategy. Hence, the unthinkable happened.

“We became drawn to resistance music like reggae and blues and even white, American country western music, which I’d always thought was some sort of repellant right wing nonsense that I wouldn’t like,” he says. “I found it was just another branch of folk music with people telling great stories with amazing characters in it, like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.”

When Langford traveled to America and met Cash during the country icon’s era of relative obscurity, he got what listeners got from him: “everyone is welcome.” “That’s what impressed me with him,” he continues. “He could make a country western album about the plight of Native Americans, or take the music into prisons, or go and visit aboriginal people in Australia.”

The man in black haunts some of Langford’s music and appears in Langford’s paintings, as well, particularly in his early work.

Regardless of medium, “I think it all comes from the same part of my brain,” he considers. “I was looking at country western music as something I was trying to explain to myself, what I loved about it and what I hated about it.”

In the ’80s, when The Mekons faded out, then back in, they started a string of benefit concerts for U.K. coal miners on strike. That string is tied to Langford, who shines a little light on causes he cares about whenever he can.

“I feel very political, sometimes with a small ‘p,’ in the sense that it’s not like chest-beating political activism but I’m part of a conversation,” he explains. “I like the idea that the culture and the art that I’m involved in is a big pool, and there’s room for conversations and description of the world, rather than just ‘smash the system.’”

When Langford moved to Chicago in the ’90s, he joined more bands in addition to the anti-death penalty movement, when he met violinist Jean Cook, who brings melody to his drum-like guitar playing at the Auction Gala.

Another art form that attracted Langford, especially as a child, was the comic strip. He illustrated one under the pseudonym Chuck Death, and his original band derived its name from the panels of another, the Dan Dare series, which followed a space pilot of the future. The Mekon, the band’s namesake, always manages to escape, only to return with another plot to conquer the planet. “So it was kind of a Thatcher/Trump figure,” he jests. Multiplying that all evil-encompassing villain was the band’s joke.

Langford manifests in Yellow Springs this weekend, but if he appears to be everywhere, it’s an illusion of light, as he shines some on what he considers the next Mekon, which will always be back with a vengeance.

The Auction Gala takes place Saturday, March 4 at Antioch College’s Foundry Theater, 920 Corry St. in Yellow Springs.Tickets are $55. Jon Langford’s exhibit opens from 3–6 p.m. at Emporium Wines/Underdog Café, 233 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs. He performs with Jean Cook Saturday at 6 p.m. To buy tickets or for more information, please call 937.767.7642 or visit AntiochSchool.org. For more information on Jon Langford and his work, please visit
JonLangford.de.

Springboro Robotics Program builds toward the future

By Jimaur Calhoun

Photo: Harnessers of Darkness discuss modifications to their robot prior to the first round of competition in 2015; photo: Jerry Brewster

Let’s face facts, people—technology is a part of our lives and it isn’t going anywhere, whether you feel it helps or hinders humanity. If society wants to look at things from a positive perspective, there are multiple ways that technology has helped people in the fields of medicine, communication, and transportation. If people want to see where technology can lead them, they should look toward programs that will interest children in the field and motivate them to design and build future technology.

In the Miami Valley, Springboro Robotics Group provides a program does just that.

“The purpose of the program is to let children experience science, technology, engineering, and math [STEM] in a fun and competitive manner.” says Jerry Brewster, a logistics consultant at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the founder of program. “I originally started the after school program solely for sixth-graders, but since its beginnings in 2006, it has expanded to children of kindergarten to senior year high school age.”

In describing how he became inspired to start the program, Brewster says, “I became aware of the robotics programs around 2005, when my children were in grade school. I thought it was an excellent opportunity for them to learn some STEM skills in a fun way. I asked the school district if I could start the program. So, I can say that my kids were the inspiration.”

Springboro Robotics Group follows a regime originated by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international youth organization that operates FIRST Robotics Competitions based on age levels. Most group activities use LEGO brand robotics that allow children to write programs and build robots with the ability to move autonomously. The program has students participate in group activities such as scientific research projects on specific themes every year just, showing they are not always about building robots that could destroy mankind.

The teams compete in regional tournaments all over Ohio, five being held in every county (Franklin, Montgomery, Hamilton, etc.) with the winners of these qualifiying for the five district tournaments held across Ohio. The winners of these go onto the state championships held at the Nutter Center. In 2015, the Lightning Trampolines from Carlisle High School, were named the Ohio Champions and received an invitation to compete at the World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2015. While FIRST doesn’t receive much to any national media coverage, Springboro Robotics has appeared in the Dayton Daily News, on local television shows, and right here in the Dayton City Paper.

“I believe that children can benefit from the Springboro Robotics Group by learning scientific research methods, working as a team, building confidence, and learning of public speaking,” Brewster says. “These are skills that colleges are looking for and these are the skills that will help prepare them for careers as scientist and teachers. We believe that these are the skills that will help the children the most in life.”

The recognition of the group by the Springboro school district helps promote the school district, letting people know that Springboro schools take STEM seriously. The program will help bring acknowledgment of technology back to the United States, as well. “Within the past few years, Europe and Asia—predominately China—have become the leading powers in technology. I feel that people would like for the United States to become the leading number again and programs like the Springboro Robotics Program could be a step in that direction,” Brewster says.

Brewster concludes that adults play a large role in making the program possible.

“As I oversee the program, parents are recruited to coach the teams of children,” he says. “We have as many as 96 kids involved, so we need adults for transporting the children to any event… We encourage parents to work with their children […] whether for a project or helping build. The program is all for families working together, if needed, because learning is a family affair.”

There is a catch to those wanting to apply for the group: Springboro Robotics Group is sponsored by the Springboro School District, limiting participation is to those that reside in the area. However, the group does outreach work, encouraging other school districts to create similar groups. “When the opportunity arrives, we try to provide our services to other school districts to get projects off the ground,” Brewster says.

So, if you’re a parent in the Springboro area and thinking of expanding your child’s mind and meeting like-minded peers, consider signing them up for the Springboro Robotics Group. Your child’s mind and imagination could make them the next Bill Gates or, if needed, John Connor.

The FIRST LEGO® League Ohio State Championship takes place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4 and 5 in McLin Gym and Arena at Wright State University’s Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy. in Dayton. For more information or to sign up for next year, please visit Borobots.org.